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Trey Love/All American Imaging

Using All Of The Racquet

SOUTH CAROLINA MEN HAVE UNIQUE NICKNAME

By Michael Rardon/USTA Southern Intern

As every tennis player knows, once you pay for a racquet you might as well use every inch of it. The South Carolina men’s 3.0 team from Florence, S.C., has taken this attitude to heart, nicknaming themselves the “Framers” because they use the frame just a much as the use the strings.

Regardless of which part of the racquet they decide to use, the “Framers” have found success with their specially trained style as they moved to the 2011 USTA League Southern Section Championships. Using the frame allows the “Framers” players to utilize the extra reach of the racquet as well is add a variety of unique spins and angles to frustrate their opponents.

The team, captained by Stan Kenimer, has “framed” their way to another successful season. As a team they finished 7-1 this season and they dominated the state tournament. They won 20 of their 25 state tournament matches and lost only one match in the semifinals and finals. This team is used to league success, having traveling to the Sectional League tournament every year since 2008. In 2008, they qualified for the section championship as a 2.5 team. Then, they were bumped up to a 3.0 and went to state in 2009 and 2010. The team was ready for their breakthrough this year as they won the 2011 South Carolina State Championships.

Their team success is based on good team chemistry. The majority of the team attends church together and several of the teammates all work together. Before every match they all take a moment to say a prayer together. No matter who finishes first, everyone stays at the courts to support their teammates who are still playing. They said that this gives them a significant advantage in their matches, because most of their opponents all leave immediately after they finish playing. Therefore, if it comes down to the last few they have the crowd support to pull their player to the finish line. The friendships on the team create a positive, supportive attitude that has helped the team find its success.

Despite, falling to Alabama in their first match, the team remains in positive spirits as they begin to mount their comeback and “frame” their way to the finals.

 Team

South Carolina Men’s 3.0

 Home Courts

Florence, SC

 Captain

Stan Kenimer

 Fun Fact

All players stay to end, giving them more supporters at the end of the match.